COHOES — John Siakala was always looking to strike up a conversation with anyone who was around, be it a longtime friend or a random passer-by.

Friday night, that outgoing, hospitable demeanor cost Siakala his life.

The 67-year-old Cohoes resident of more than four decades opened the door of his Ogden Mills apartment to a stranger who knocked. The man, a repeat felon police say was high on crack cocaine, forced his way into Siakala's home and killed him.

"It's tragic," said Cohoes Mayor John McDonald. "John was a kind, unassuming guy. Easy to talk to and work with. We just saw him Friday morning."

Siakala was a regular at Marra's Pharmacy, over the years becoming almost as much of a mainstay as the 80-year-old business itself.

"We'd usually see him about twice a day. He was a good guy, a big Yankees fan," said McDonald, who runs Marra's with his mother, Barbara. "You just have to take a deep breath and say a prayer."

Cohoes police would not comment on the details of Siakala's killing, only confirming that a suspect in the case had been arrested. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said the suspect is Mark Richardson, a 53-year-old homeless man who, according to Department of Correctional Services records, has served four prison terms since 1987, including two for robbery and one for burglary.

McDonald gave the following account of Friday's incident, which unfolded around 9:30 p.m.: Richardson entered Ogden Mills, a senior home on Ontario Street, and began knocking on doors, allegedly planning to rob whoever would answer.

Siakala, who lived on the third floor, was the first to open his door. A struggle ensued when Richardson attempted to rob Siakala. Richardson then beat Siakala until he was unconscious and fled the scene.

On his way out of the complex, Richardson confronted a woman on the second floor and struck her as well. A relative of someone who lives at Ogden Mills heard the commotion and chased Richardson out of the building. Troy police arrived and tracked Richardson down through nearby woods with the help of a police dog. Captain John Cooney said officers found Richardson sweating, lying down and out of breath in a grassy field 400 yards from the Odgen Mills.

Cooney said police thought Richardson had only assaulted the woman until they found Siakala's driver's license in Richardson's pocket. Officers then went to Siakala's home and found his body.

Richardson was arrested and charged with burglary and two counts of assault. Officers said Richardson appeared to be high on crack-cocaine at the time of the arrest. Additional charges against Richardson will likely be filed early this week, McDonald said.

It was unclear if Richardson used a weapon to beat his alleged victims. The female who was allegedly hit by Richardson was being treated for injuries at Albany Medical Center Sunday and is expected to be released this week.

Kevin Williams said he was visiting his sisters at Ogden Mills Friday night and arrived just as the woman Richardson allegedly attacked was being taken away on a stretcher.

"My sisters live right next door to her," Williams said. "I went up to see them and there was just a pool of blood in front of the door across the hall."

Residents at Ogden Mills refused to comment on the incident Sunday, saying they had been instructed by the managers of the facility not to speak with reporters. Many said they were shocked and saddened by the news of Sikala's death. Calls to the complex were not returned.

McDonald said it was unclear how Richardson got into Ogden Mills, which has a security mechanism at the front door requiring visitors to be buzzed in.

"The fact that anyone would even consider robbing a place like this is extremely disturbing," McDonald said.

McDonald said Siakala was beaten into a coma. He died Saturday. Siakala is survived by his son and daughter. Neither could be reached for comment Sunday. Siakala's death was the first homicide in the city since 2005.

Richardson has spent a combined 15 years in prison for four different convictions, his last coming in 2006 for criminal contempt in Rensselaer County, according to DOCS records. Richardson was convicted of robbery in 1987 and 1992 and convicted of burglary in 1997. Those three convictions were in Westchester County.

"News like this gets me so frustrated, because it's a sad depiction of the society we live in," McDonald said. "There are too many people out there that are lost and commit senseless and selfish acts with no idea of the impact of their actions. No one should have to be subjected to that."